Foot clamping and locking mechanism with auto-release for a pedal

Abstract

A foot clamping and locking mechanism with an auto-release for releasably securing a user's foot to a pedal may include a pedal comprising a pedal base having a top plate; an arm extending from the pedal; a cuff attached to the arm, the cuff sized to wrap over top of a user's foot; and a trigger extending upward from the top plate, the trigger operatively attached to the arm such that, when the user steps on the trigger, the arm causes the cuff to lock down onto the user's foot.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A clamping and locking device with an auto-release, the device comprising:
 a pedal comprising a pedal base having a top plate, a first panel extending from a first side edge of the top plate, and a second panel extending from a second side edge opposing the first side edge of the top plate; 
 a main drive pin coupled to the pedal at the first panel and the second panel with a pair of pin bearings allowing rotation of the pedal relative to the main drive pin; 
 a rod separated from the main drive pin and coupled to the pedal at the first panel and the second panel with a pair of rod bearings allowing rotation of the rod relative to the pedal; 
 an arm comprising a first arm end coupled to a portion of the rod extending through the second panel; 
 a cuff attached to a second arm end of the arm, the cuff configured to wrap over top of a shoe; and
 a trigger coupled to the rod and the trigger biased to extend upward through an opening of the top plate by a torsion spring, the trigger operatively attached to the arm through coupling to the rod such that, responsive to stepping on the trigger, the arm causes the cuff to lock down onto the shoe. 
 
 
     
     
       2. The clamping and locking device of  claim 1 , wherein the pedal base comprises:
 the top plate; 
 a front panel extending downward from the top plate; 
 a back panel extending downward from the top plate opposite the front panel; and 
 a bottom plate attached to a bottom respective edge of each of the front panel, the first panel, the second panel, and the back panel. 
 
     
     
       3. The clamping and locking device of  claim 2 , wherein the back panel comprises a triangular shaped tab. 
     
     
       4. The clamping and locking device of  claim 1 , wherein the arm comprises a top arm and a bottom arm, each attached to the cuff. 
     
     
       5. The clamping and locking device of  claim 4 , wherein:
 the main drive pin extends from an inner surface of the first panel through a first pin bearing of the pair of pin bearings and a pin gasket, under the trigger, through the second panel, through a first pin washer, through a second pin bearing of the pair of pin bearings, under the cuff, and attaches to the bottom arm. 
 
     
     
       6. A clamping and locking device for securing a shoe, the device comprising:
 a pedal comprising a pedal base having a top plate, a first panel extending from a first side edge of the top plate, and a second panel extending from a second side edge opposing the first side edge of the top plate; 
 a main drive pin coupled to the pedal at the first panel and the second panel with a pair of pin bearings allowing rotation of the pedal relative to the main drive pin; 
 a rod coupled to the pedal at the first panel and the second panel with a pair of rod bearings allowing rotation of the rod relative to the pedal; 
 an arm comprising a first arm end coupled to a portion of the rod extending through the second panel; 
 a cuff attached to a second arm end of the arm; and 
 a trigger coupled to the rod and the trigger biased, in a baseline state, to extend upward through an opening of the top plate by a torsion spring, the trigger comprising a trigger pin protruding from a region of the trigger near the first trigger end; 
 a pawl retained within the pedal along a path of motion of the trigger pin; and 
 a sector gear coupled to the rod; 
 wherein, the trigger is transitionable between the baseline state and a locking state, wherein in the baseline state the trigger pin contacts the pawl and the pawl is disengaged from the sector gear, and in the locking state the trigger pin is separated from the pawl and the pawl engages the sector gear, thereby locking a position of the cuff coupled to the rod.